Description
Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken chunks baked in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze. This recipe combines the tropical taste of pineapple with brown sugar, soy sauce, and a hint of ginger, then bakes the chicken to perfection with a caramelized finish, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into medium chunks
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for browning
Pineapple Glaze
- 1 can pineapple chunks (20 oz) with juice, do not drain
- 0.5 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 0.33 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Optional Garnishes
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Rest: Allow all ingredients to come to room temperature if refrigerated to promote even cooking.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, season the chicken chunks evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring every piece is well coated for flavor.
- Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on all sides for about 4 minutes total, until golden but not fully cooked through.
- Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, the juice from the canned pineapple, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch until completely smooth and well combined, ensuring the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with their juice over the chicken. Drizzle the pineapple glaze evenly on top. Gently stir to make sure the chicken is coated with the sauce and pineapple.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has thickened.
- Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 5–10 minutes. This step caramelizes the glaze and enhances the flavor and texture with a slightly sticky finish.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped green onions and additional pineapple chunks if desired. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
- Brown sugar choice (light or dark) will affect the depth of sweetness and caramel flavor.
- Do not drain the pineapple chunks; the juice is essential for the sauce consistency.
- Ensure chicken is browned but not fully cooked to maintain juiciness after baking.
- Allow the chicken to rest before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute fresh ginger for ground ginger for a more vibrant aroma.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a subtle heat if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, baked pineapple chicken, easy chicken dinners, sweet and tangy chicken
